Material handling mechanism



Oct. 1,5, 1946. gw. R. DlcKsoN I MATRIAL HANDLING MECHANI'SM Filed Feb. 2s, -1945 /ZG I l I YL.,

ot.15,1946. AWR. DICKSON 2,409,346

MATERIAL HANDLING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 23, 1945 i 5 Sheets-.Sheet 5 y INVENTOR; E, WILBUE l?. DICKSON,

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Patented ct. 15, 1946 MATERIAL HANDLING MECHANISM Wilbur R. Dickson, Columbus, Ohio,` assignor, by

mesne assignments, to The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Ohio Application February 23, 1945, Serial No. 579,328

single or plurality of sections is provided, which is formed of a stationary bottom and rectilinearly or longitudinally movable side plates preferablyalso having transversely extending flights, which side plates confine material being conveyed and, together with the flights, are movable rectilinearly or longitudinally over a bottom plate.

A further object of the^invention is to provide a conveyor of the above-mentioned type in which the movable side walls of the trough are supported, as by rails and rollers, or otherwise, off

' but close to the stationary bottom.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims. y

In the accompanying drawings,r

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary and diagrammatic illustration of a conveyor incorporating the features of my invention; y i

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, with parts in section, showing the side wall and flight construction of an embodiment of my invention, which provides a multiple compartment or trough type of conveyor, the bottom plate not being illus-y trated in this view; i

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a single compartment or trough type of conveyor in which the framework and bottom plate of the trough are not illustrated; Fig. 4 is a sectional view c-f the mechanism of Fig. 3 and taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 6, with the framework and bottom plate not shown;

Fig. 5 is a View, similar to Fig. 4, of a modied form of conveyor and taken on the line 5-5 `of Fig. 7;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view showing the framework and bottom plate and associated Vconveyor mechanism of the conveyor shown in 13 Claims. (Cl. 198-168) c In Fig. 1 of the drawings I have illustrated quite diagrammatically and fragmentarily, a conveyor which incorporates features of my invention in one embodiment thereof and particularly an embodiment which includes a plurality of compartments or parallel troughways, but it is to be distinctly understood that the general construction of the conveyor/'of Fig. l will be followed in the modifications shown in the other views of the drawings. c

Said conveyor includes a head section I8 and a foot section Il which are connected together by a framework VI2 which extendsbetween them. The head section lil includes a driving head shaft I3 which is driven through reduction gearing I4 from a drive shaft `I5 which may be drivenby any desired form of motor, such as an electric motor, not illustrated. i

The head shaft I3 is provided with drive sprockets I6` which drive a pair of endless chains I1, Il, which are laterally spaced and which are carried upon the framework I2, as described more completely hereinafter. lThe foot section II includes foot shaft I8 and foot sprockets IS which receive and guide the spaced endless chains Il.

Before describing in detail the structure of the 'particular modication which is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings and illustrated more in detail in Fig. 2 of the drawings, attention is directed to Figs. 3, 4 and 6 which disclose in detail a more simple form of conveyor .embodying my invention.

Referring first to Fig. 6 of the drawings, it will be noted that the framework I2 is built up of usual longitudinally extending angle members which are-interconnected by upstanding angles as well as diagonal angles, channels or plates, to provide a fairly rigid supporting structure. Ad- `iacent thetop of the framework I2 and eX- tending longitudinally from the head section II) tothe foot section II, is a bottom member or plate 20 which forms the bottom of a trough or Away adapted to receive the material which is to be conveyed by the conveyor. Material in traveling from the foot section Il to the head or discharge section Ii), will be scraped over the bottom plate 20 of said trough, which trough is designated generally by the reference, character 2I.

As bestillustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the bottom member or plate 20 is removably supported on its opposite sides or edges from the framework I2 by means of longitudinally extending angles 22 whichrin `fact constitute a part of -said framework I2. Nuts and'bolts provide for the removable attachment ofsaid plate 29 to 3 said angles 22, thus providing for ready removal and renewal thereof, should said plates become worn in use.

As also clearly illustrated in Fig. 6, co-operating with and spaced above the bottom plate 2i), is a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally or reetilinearly extending side plates 23, 23 forming the side walls of said material conveying trough 2|. Each of the side walls 23 is formed of a plurality of upwardly and longitudinally extending articulated overlapping plates 24 and 25, the outermost plates being designated 2li and the innermost being designated 25.

Extending between transversely aligned or op.- posite side plates 25 and rigidly but preferably removably connected thereto, are transversely extending ights 26 which preferably have the same height as the side plates 24 and 25. The ends of the nights 26 are preferably bent over, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, and are bolted or otherwise connected to pairs of opposite plates 25.

The side plates 24 and 25 not only act to provide the articulated side walls of the trough 2|, but, in addition, they preferably also act as side bars or side straps of the endless articulated chains as best seen by reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings. Each of the chains il also includes overlapping outer side bars or side straps or plates 2l, and each link of the chain is thus formed by a side bar or plate 2'1 and a side plate 213 or 25. The side bars or straps 2 have a much less height than the side plates 22 and 25, as clearly illustrated by reference to Figs. 4 and 6 of the drawings.

The links of each of the chains Il also include spaced pivot pins 28 which pivotally connect two overlapping side bars or straps 21 and overlapping side plates 24 and 25, thereby providing for the articulate character of the side walls or plates 23, as above described. Furthermore, the chains i7 are preferably of the roller type in the most complete aspect of my invention, though, in broader aspects, they need not be of this type. To this end, the pivot pins 28 are provided with flanged rollers 29 which are adapted to ride on longitudinally extending rails 3i] which are preferably renewable in character and are supported on angle members attached to and forming part of the framework i2, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

It is also to be noted, particularly by reference to said Fig. 6, that the rollers 29 preferably support the bottoms of the articulated side plates or walls 23, oir, but close to the bottom plate 2G, to

the end that there will be no frictional contact between said side plates 23 and the bottom plate 2t, While at the same time preventing any undesirable leakage of material from under the bottoms of said side plates 23. To aid in preventing this undesired leakage, it is to be noted, particularly by reference to Fig. 6, that the bottom plate 28 extends laterally an appreciable amount,

' for example, two or three inches, beyond the side walls 23. In addition, if desired, upright baffle plates 3| may be provided on the bottom plates 2) spaced laterally from the side plates 23 and preferably out of frictional contact therewith.

It may be mentioned that in case drainage of the material being conveyed is desired, this conveyor is particularly adapted for such use, since the water can drain oif through the space between the bottoms of the side walls 23 and the plate 20. If this is desired, the baiile plates 3| may be eliminated, or their ends may be spaced apart.

It is also to be noted by reference to Fig. 6, that the upper run of the conveyor is the only working run and in this illustration there is no bottom or trough forming plate on the return run of the conveyor, comparable to the plate 26. If it is desired, however, to employ the return run as a working run, this can be done by the simple expedient of providing a bottom forming plate adjacent the bottom run of the side plates 23, comparable to the plate 20. Such an arrange- .ment is illustrated in the modiiication disclosed in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

It is evident, particularly by reference to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, that the side plates or 'walls 23 are articulated about horizontal axes, thus providing for travel of the conveyor mechanism about the head shaft I3 and the foot shaft i8.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 5 and 7 of the drawings, it is evident that the arrangement is fundamentally similar to that above described, particularly in connection with Figs. 3, 4 and 6. The principal differences will now be described.

First of all, the conveyor chains Il are pivotally connected near the bottom of the side walls 23 of the trough 2|, as Viewed during the working run, rather than substantially along their middle transverse axis, as in the case of the structure oi' Figs. 3, 4 and 6. In addition, I have illustrated rollers |22 which are without flanges. Also, the return or bottom run, as illustrated in Fig. '7 cf the drawings, is illustrated as a working run, as it is provided with a bottom plate |20 which cooperates vvith the articulated side walls 23 to provide a conveyor trough. In such an arrangement, the bottom plate |26 will be discontinued before reaching the foot section il to provide for discharging material from the bottom run.

Except for the diierences above pointed out, or other obvious differences, it is to be understood that the structure oi the conveyor mechanism of Figs. 5 and 7 follows that of Figs. 3, 4 and 6.

Diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings and illustrated in detail in Fig. 2 of the drawings, is a further modification of the conveyor mechanism which follows that previously described, except for obvious diierences and which differs principally in the fact that it provides a multiple compartment trough or a plural or multiple troughway, so that a plurality of materials may be simultaneously conveyed by the conveyor, while maintaining them separated dur ing their travel. This multiple compartment conveyor includes a pair of laterally spaced articulated side plates or walls |23, each oi which is formed by pairs of articulated overlapping upwardly and longitudinally extending outer and inner side plates |25 and |25, respectively.

The side plates |24 and |25 also preferably form side plates or side straps of the chains il, as above described in connection with the conveyor of Figs. 3, 4 and 6. These plates |25 and |25 are pivotally connected together by pivot pins 28 of the chains l'l to provide for their articula tion on horizontal axes. Laterally opposite or aligned plates |215 and |25, respectively, are connected by transversely extending iiights 526.

Instead of a single trough 2|, the conveyor of Figs. 1 and 2 provides a plurality of parallel troughways or compartments |2| and 22|. To provide for the formation of the two separate troughways or compartments |2| and 22|, each of the transverse flights 126 has rigidly connected thereto a forwardly extending partition plate 32; the partition plates s2 being in alignment down the center of the conveyor and preferably `substantially midway between the ends of the flights 126, They also= preferably have the same vertical dimension as the flights E26 and the side plates i213 and M5, which are also equal in height.`

The forward end of each partition plate 32 is loosely received and thus free to move with respect to a pair of laterally spaced rearwardly extending angles 33, which are rigidly connected to the rear face of each Iiight 126,'.the sides of which angles 33 -overlap the forward edge of each partition plate 32. The .leading edge of each 'partition plate 32 is preferablypointed or. beveled, r,asl clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, -soas to providefor the articulating character of the troughways [2l and 221,1 while at all` times insuring separation between said two-troughways Vfor various articulated 4positions ofthe complete Y conveyor mechanism. Y y

' Inthe operation-of the device, for example, as illustrated in the single troughway compartment, as embodied inthe structure ofliigs, 3, 4 and 5, material will be delivered tothe trough between the side plates 23 at some point adjacent the foot vsection Il. `The conveyormechanism, including the chains il, will be driven in the direction of the arrows, as seen in Figs-1 ande of the drawings;v This will cause the chains I "l, articulated side walls 23 `and flights 26 to move forwardly and lguide the material inthe trough 2l over the stationary bottom plate 20 until it is `discharged over -the yforward end of said plate in the head section "IUL- The driving Awill be effected from the driven @shaft l5 through the gearing I4, shaft i3 and isprocketstl-which mesh with the chains Il. i l

VDuring this conveying operation, `it is to be noted that there will be no substantial sliding f --iriction between the material: and the articu- -lated side walls 23, since said' side walls travel with the material. The only portion of the conveyor which is thus Asubject to any substantial Y,friction is the bottom member or plate 20. This y r'bottom member is subject to easy'removal and renewal upon becoming worn. `Furthermore,

Vsince it is substantially only a ,flat1plate,V it is relatively inexpensive and easy to replace in the A.As the material is conveyed along, as above deif scribed, there will be substantiallyzfno frictional *contact between the bottoms of the plates 24 and 25 and the plate `20, particularly'in the preferred -forms of my invention, since said plates 24 and 25 are supported above'the bottom plate 20. If

"desired, however, the rollers 29 or other supportjing mechanism maybe-eliminated, and in a broader-aspect of theinvention, the side walls 23 maybe permitted to slide directly onV the bottom member of plate 20'. i

Furthermore, since the bottom member or plate 2B extends laterally beyond the edges of the plates 23, should material tend to flow under said plates or walls 23, it will-tend to build up and form its own seal. If desired, vthis `sealing action may be augmented by 'providingfthe bailie plates 3l on the bottom members or plates 20;..

The `operation of the apparatus of Figs. 5 and operation `of the conveyor Vof 6 above described, except for one important distinctionl which is that it provides a plural or multiple troughway conveyor whereby diierent materials may be conveyed and maintained separate.v

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes inthe details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, and I therefore Wish not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed. l l

Having thus described and shown an embodiment of my invention, WhatfI desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A conveyor includinga trough having a bottom, a pair of laterally spaced endless conveyor` chains movable over said, bottom, andiroll and rail means for supporting said chains for rectilinear movement, said chains including` links having interior side bar plates of a height considerably greater than Vtheir exterior sidebar plates to provide the material retaining side walls of said conveyor and co-operating with said bottom to form the material holding and conveying trough thereof, ights extending between said side walls, said roll and rail means co-operating to support the bottoms of said side walls off but close to said bottom.

2. A conveyor including a trough having a bottom; a pair of laterally spaced endless conveyor chains movable over said bottom, said chains including linksof parallel laterally spaced side bar plates, the interior side bar plates having a height considerably greater than their exterior side bar plates to provide the material retaining sidewalls of said conveyor and cooperating with said bottom to form the material `holding and conveying trough thereof, and transverse flights extending between said interior side bar plates. 1

3. A conveyor including a trough having a bottom,` a pair of laterally spaced endless conveyor chains movable over said bottom, and means for supporting said chains for rectilinear movement, said chains including links of parallellaterally spaced side bar plates, the interior` side bar plates having a height considerably greater than the exterior side bar plates to provide the jmaterial retaining `side walls of said conveyor -and co-operating with said bottom to form the material holding and conveying trough thereof,

A bottom.

4. A conveyor including a pair of laterally spaced endless chains each formed of a plurality of pivotally connected links, saidchains having Vrail engaging supporting rolls, said links includ- Ying a pair of laterally spaced upright side bars :connected adjacent opposite ends by pins which also connect adjacent links and carry said rolls,

.` a material receiving trough having a stationary bottom and laterally spaced upstanding side `members having a height substantially greater than the height of the outside chain side bars,

said side members of said trough forming lat least part of the inner side bars of said pair of chains and being attached to other parts of said chains to travel therewith, flights extending `laterally between said side members and connected thereto, and means iorconveying said chains and side members over said stationary bottom to. carry material along With'said trough side,` members and in sliding relation with the trough bottom.

. 5. A conveyor including a pair of laterally spaced endless chains each formed of a plurality of pivotally connected links, said links including a pair of laterally spaced upright side bars connected adjacent opposite ends by pins which also connect adjacent links, a material receiving trough having a stationary bottom and laterally spaced upstanding side members having a height substantially greater than the height of the outside chain side bars, said side members of said trough forming at least part of the inner side bars of said pair of chains and being attached to other'parts of said chains to travel therewith, flights extending laterally between said side members and connected thereto, and means for conveying said chains and side members over said stationary bottom to carry material along with said trough side members and in sliding relation with the trough bottom.

6. A conveyor including a pair of laterally spaced endless chains. each formed of a plurality of pivotally connected links, said links including a pair ofv laterally spaced upright side bars connected adjacent opposite ends by pins which also connect adjacent links, a material receiving `trough having a stationary bottom and laterally spaced upstanding side members having a height substantially greater than the height of the outside chain side bars and being attached toA parts of said chains to travel therewith, nights extending` laterally between said side members and connected thereto, and means, for conveying said chains and side members over said stationary bottom to carry material along with said trough side members and in sliding relation with the trough bottom.

7. A conveyor including a pair or laterally spaced endless chains each formed of a plurality of pivotally connected links, said links including a pair of laterally spaced upright side bars connected adjacent opposite ends by pins which also connect adjacent links, a material receiving trough having a stationary bottoni and laterally spaced upstanding side members having a height substantially greater than the height of the outsidev chain side liars, said side members of said trough forming the inner side bars of said pair of chains and being attached to other parts of said chains to travel therewith, flights extending laterally between said side members and connected thereto, and means for conveying said chains `and side members over said stationary bottom to carry material along with said tro-ugh side members and in sliding relation with the trough bottom.w

8. A conveyor including a pair of laterally yspaced endless chains each formed of aY plurality of pivotally connected links, said chains having rail engaging supporting rolls, said links including a pair of laterally spaced upright side bars connected adjacent opposite endsby pins which also connect adjacent links and carry said rolls, a material receiving trough having a stationary 4bottom and laterally spaced upstanding side members having a height substantially greater lthan the height of the outside chain side bars, said side members of said trough forming the inner side bars of said pair of chainsand being attached to other parts of said chains to travel herewith, nights extending laterally between said side members and connected thereto, and means for conveying said chains and side members over -said stationary bottom to carry material along 8 with said trough side members and in sliding relation with the trough bottom.

9. In a conveyor, the combination with a pair oi laterally spaced chains each including interconnected links, said chains having rail engaging supporting rolls, said links including a pair of laterally spaced upright side bars connected adjacent opposite ends by pins which pivotally attach adjacent links and carry said supporting rolls, a material receiving trough including a stationary bottom and at least three laterally spaced upstanding trough members all having ay height substantially greater than the height of the outside chain side bars, the two outside trough members forming at least part of the inner side bars of said pair of chains, flights extending laterally between and interconnecting said laterally spaced trough members, and means for conveying said chains and trough members over said stationary bottom to carry material along with said trough members and in sliding relation with the trough bottom.

10. In a conveyor, the combina-tion with a pair of laterally spaced chains each including interconnected links, said links including a pair of laterally spaced upright side bars connected adjacent opposite ends by pins which pivotally at,- tach adjacent links, a material receiving trough including a stationary bottom and at least three laterally spaced upstanding trough members all having a height substantially greater than the height of the outside chain side bars, the two outside trough members forming at least part of the inner side bars of said pai-r of chains, flights extending laterally between and interconnecting said laterally spaced trough members, and means for conveying said chains and trough members over said stationary bottom to carry material along With said trough members and in sliding relation with the trough bottom.

11. In a conveyor, the combination with a pair of laterally spaced chains each including interconnected links, said links including a pair of laterally spaced upright side bars connected adjacent opposite ends by pins which pivotally attach adjacent links, a material receiving trough including a stationary bottom and at least three laterally spaced upstanding trough members all having a. height substantially greater than the height of the outside chain side bars, flights extending laterally between and interconnecting Ysaid laterally spaced trough members, and means for conveying said chains and trough members over said Stationary bottom to carry material along with said trough members and in sliding relation with the trough bottom.

`including a stationary bottom and at least three laterally spaced upstanding trough members all having a height substantially greater than the height of theA outside chain side bars, the two outside trough members forming the inner side bars of sa'id pair of chains, flights extending laterally between and interconnecting said laterally spaced trough members, and means for conveying said chains and trough members over said stationary bottom to carry material along with said trough members and in sliding relation with the trough bottom.

13. In a conveyor, the combination with a pair oi.' laterally spaced chains each including interconnected links, said chains having rail engaging supporting rolls, said links including a pair of laterally spaced upright side bars connected adjacent opposite ends by pins which pivotally attach adjacent links and carry said supporting rolls, a material receiving trough including a stationary bottom and at least three laterally spaced upstanding trough members all having a height substantially greater than the height of 10 the outside chain side bars, the two outside trough members forming the inner side bars of said pair of chains, ights extending laterally between and interconnecting said laterally spaced trough members, and means for conveying said chains and trough members over said stationary bottom to carry material along with said trough members and in sliding relation with the trough bottom.

WILBUR R. DICKSON. 

